Apparatus for roasting and preparing ores for smelting



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APPARATUS FOR ROASTING AND PREPARING ORES 'FOR SMELTING..

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0 CHERRY, sh APPARATUS FOR ROASTING AND PREPARING ORES FOR SMELTING. No. 290,214. Patented Dem 13. 1883.

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V c. CHERRY, Sr. APPABATUSFOR ROASTING AND P'EIEPARING' 035s POE SMELIING, """NO; 290,214. *PaitentdDi"18.1883.'

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PATENT OFFICE;

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APPARATUS FOR ROASTINGAN D PREPARING ORES FOR SMELTING.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters- Patent No. 290,214, datedIDecember 18, 1883.

' Application filed Jul 1o, 1883. (No model.)

.To aZZ whom, it 111,11 .11 concern:

Be it known that LOUMMINGs CHERRY, Sn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improve-, ments in Apparatus for Roasting and Preparing Ores for Smelting, of which the following is a specification. The object of my invention is to provide an improved apparatus for freeing ores of their; impurities-+2. 6., all substances in combination with the metal of the 'oresand preparing the ores for smelting; and the novelty consists in the construction and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

My invention is designed to overcome difficulties heretofore existing in the preliminary preparation of the ores by providing suitable apparatus and means for controlling the heat applied to the ores, so as to cause all the ores treated to give auniformproduct; and it consists in an apparatus having retorts or ovens adapted to be closed and made air-tight at will, within which the ores are subjected to the action of heat and vapors, and certain other details of construction, all as more particularly hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a longitudinal vertical section of an apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a transverse section through the line 2 20f Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a horizontal section through the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail of the pipes Q and B. Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

My apparatus is composed, mainly, of two structures of masonry, one inclosed within the other. The external structure comprises the walls A A and dome B, and the internal or inclosed structure comprises the walls A A and dome B and a horizontal transverse'portion, K. The walls A and A thus form the two vertical chambers C C, while the horizontal masonry Kforms the chamber M within the walls A A, and beneath it the chamber-L, the purposes of which several chambers will be presently described. The chamberL connects upon either side with its 'appropriate chamber 0 by means of fines-V,

governed by dampers 0, and with the chami the dampers 19, while the said chamber M, by means of flue X and damper q, connects with the chimney D, with which chimney also connect the-chambers O by means of lines controlled by the dampers r. A horizontal partition fornied of a plate, or, having a central circular opening and a series of grate-bars, 1), upon either side thereof, separates each chamber G froma space below, which space, by means of vertical partitions c, is formed into three parts, the center one, E, being under the central opening in the plate a, and the others, comprising the ash-pits E E, beneath the grates b. r The central opening in the plate a is occupied by a grate or valve-plate, G, having openings c 0, and adapted to slide in ways formed in the plate a, and it is manipulated by means of arod, d, which extends through the wall of the outer structure, and is provided with a convenient handle upon the outside.

The chamber L constitutes the fire-boxof a furnace; O, a grate, and P an ash-pit, the fuel being fed through the door h,- and the ash-pit I has a convenient door, The products of combustion from this chamber L may be directed to the chamber M through the fines W by opening the dampers p, the handles of whichpass to the out-side of the structure A, as seen in Fig. 3; or they may be deflected to either or both of the chambers G- by closing said dampers p and properly manipulating the dampers o, the handles of which also extend through the walls A, as seen in Fig. 2.

Located within each chamber 0 is a vertical retort, F, having a hopper-mouth, F, cov-" ered by an air-tight cover, H. The lower end of this retort embracesthe central opening in the plate a, and it is adapted to contain the ore which is to be subjected to heat, and within 'each retort is located a vertical conical tube, I, having side perforations, f. These tubes I are designed to distribute steam and air through the ores being treated, andare closed at their upper ends, being supported approximately concentric with the retort by means of spiders g g; The perforations f in the pipes I preferably incline downward, to prevent the gravitating ores from clogging the same.

N designates a pipe which is adapted to convey heated air from an outer furnace (not shown) to the fire-box L, and S a steam-pipe connection from a generator. (Not shown.)

.This pipe is provided with a damper, Z, and

connects with a pipe, R, which occupies a horizontal position in the chamber M, as shown in Fig. 2. Coils Q connect with the pipe R, and partitions j in the pipe R force the steam to pass through each of said coi1s,which, extending upward within the chamber M,serve as superheaters. There are two sets of pipes R and coils Q shown in Fig. 1, and from each a pipe, T, connects directly with the chamber E, and thence to the retorts. Dampers 7c in the pipes R and m in the pipes '1 allow the ready adjustment of the flow of steam at will. Airpipes U, having valves '21, also connect with the chambers E, and may, if desired, lead directly to the grate or valve G.

A pipe, Y, having a safety-valve, s, is connected with each retort F, as shown, and an inclined grate, J, in the chamber E leads the coarser ore from the retort to the door a.

The operation is as follows: The ores to be treated are broken up or crushed in particles of suitable size and dropped or dumped into the retorts in the ovens 0 through the funnelshaped tops F F. The cover H is then closed and the escape-valves s 8 opened. All the dampers and doors of the apparatus are then closed except the dampers o o. The heated air from the pipe N will then enter the chamber L and pass through the passage-ways V V into the chambers (J 0, thus heating the ovens FFand their inclosed ores. It the heat from the pipe N is insufticient to heat the ores to a bright cherry-red, or 800 to 1000 Fahrenheit, a fire is built in the chamber L upon the grate, and the heat from this fire will also pass through the passage-ways V V into the chambers 0, thus increasing the heat of the air in said chambers. If the hot air from the pipe Nand from the fire in the chamberL isstill insufficient, or if it is desired to attain the above degree of heat in a short time, a fire may be made upon the grates b I) in the bottoms of the chambers O 0, access to said grates being had by means of doors 1. By any or all of these means the ores are subjected to heat for about four hours, which will be sufficient time for the water of crystallization and e011- stitution, oxygen, and all fugitisge gases to be separated from the ores and e; Jelled in an evaporated state through the escape-pipe Y. The ores are now in a porous and spongy condition, their acid combinations, oxides, and refractory condition have been broken up, and their cohesive property is destroyed. It the ores are in a refractory condition, with silex and other impurities, a mixture of chloride of lime or calcium and chloride of soda and pulverized carbon is mixed with the ores before they are placed in the retorts. The valves 8 s are then closed and regulated so that about thirty pounds pressure of steam will open them, so as to allow a safety-escape for the steam. The retorts and their inclosed ores continue to be subjected to the same amount of heat as before. Steam is admitted through the pipes S R and R, the dampers Z 7t 7; being open, through the coils Q Q, through the pipes T T into the chamber E, and then up into the retorts F F, and also up through the pipes I I, and through the perforations f'j". Steam is thus continued to be forced into the ores until the pressure is sufficient to open the valves 8 s. During this time new chemical combinations will be formed, the hydrogen from the steam will combine with the sulphur and phosphorus in the ores, and, when the above pressure is attained and the valves 8 8 opened, will pass through the pipes Y Y in the form of sulphureted and phosphureted hydrogen, together with any other vapors which have been formed. This condition may easily be ascertained by the odor of the gases, which may be allowed to have an escape through a small outlet-valve in the pipes Y Y. \V hen no further odor of the above gases is discernible, this step of the process is complete. The oxygen in the steam has in the meantime combined with the metal in the ores, forming oxides and peroxides, the ores being then partially oxidized.

In case it is desired to use superheated steam instead of wet steam, the valves 0 0 are closed, so as to cut oft the hot air from the chamber L to the chambers C C, and the valves p p are opened, so as to admit all the hot air from the chamber L into the chamber M. The wet steam which has been admitted into the coils Q Q, and pipes R It will then be superheated. The dampers m m in the meantime should be closed, so as to keep the steam in the pipes while it is being superheated. After the steam has been superheated to the degree required, the valves m m are opened, and the superheated steam then enters the ores in the manner above stated. Vhen required, the valve q may be opened to allow the smoke and gases in the chamber M to pass out of the chimney D. The valves a a in the pipes U U are then opened, and hot or superheated air is forced through said pipes into the ores in the retorts until the ores have become thoroughly oxidized, and they are then ready to be discharged from the retorts and out of the doors a a. After the process has been completed, cold air may be admitted through the pipes U U, to cool the oxidized ores previous to their discharge from the retorts.

I have shown in my apparatus only two retorts; but it is evident that any number may be connected together in the same apparatus, having common central chambers, L and M, and a common pipe, N..

If it is desired to use only one hot-air chamber C and one retort F, all communication between the other chambers and retorts can be cut off by the dampers leading to the same.

The pipes Y Y may terminate in condensing apparatus, where the gases and vapors from be afterward used for some useful purpose.

. valve-plate Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination of the vertical air-tight retorts with their escape-pipes, the closed hotair chamber surrounding said retorts, the combustion-chamber provided with a fire-grate and connected with said hot-air chamber by flues, the hot-air pipe adapted to connect the combustion-chamber with an outside furnace, and the gas-chamber below the retort, substan tially as described.

2. The combination of the air-tight retorts or ovens with their escape-pipes, the closed hot air chambers surrounding said retorts, the grate 1) upon the bottom of said chamber, the chamber L, pipe N, and means for injecting steam into the retorts, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the closed hot-air chambers, their inclosed air-tight retorts, the perforated pipes inclosed within said retorts, and the escape-pipes Y Y, with the perforated G and means for injecting steam and air into said retorts, substantially as described.

4. The combination of the closed hot-air chambers, their inclosed air-tight retorts hav: ing escape-pipes, the perforated pipes I, in-

' closed within said retorts, and the pipes T, for

admitting steam into said retorts and perforated pipes, substantially as described.

5. The combination of the closed hot-air chambers, their inclosed air-tight retorts having escape-pipes, the perforated pipes I, in-

closed within said retorts, pipes T, foradmitting steam into saidretorts and perforated pipes I, and the steam-superheating pipes R, having and inclosed within the superheating-chamber M, substantially as described.

6. The combination of the closed hot-air chambers, their inclosed air-tight retorts having escape-pipes, the perforated pipes I, in-

closed within said retorts, pipes T, for admitretorts and perforated superheating-chamber M, the steamting steam into said P partitions J, connected with said pipes T,

pipes therein, flues W, and heating-chamber L, substantially as described.

7. The combination of the closed hot-air chambers, their inclosed airtight retorts having escape-pipes, closed within said substantially as described.

8. The combination of the closed hot-air chambers, their'inclosed air-tight retorts, the airtight chambers E, the valve-plate G, slanting grate-bars J, and outlet-doors u and 12, substantially as described.

9. The combination of the closed hot-air chambers, their inclosed air-tight retorts, the air-tight chambers E, and sliding grates G, and the pipes T and U, substantially as de scribed.

10. The combination, with the chambers 0, having perforated plate a and grates b, of the partitions a, forming the chambers E and E, the retorts F, embracing the perforated plate a, the valve-plate G, and the If, substantially as described.

11. In combination with the steam-connection S, pipes R, having partitions J, and the coils Q, as shown, the pipes T, retort F, plate a, valve-plate G, and perforated pipe I, substantially as described.

12. In combination with the external structure, A B, and internal structure, A 13, forming the chambers O, the masonry K, forming the chambers L and M, the flues V, W, and X, the dampers 0, 10, and q, and the grates b, substantially as described.

13. The retort 0, having the covered extensions F and H, and sliding grate or bottom G, in combination with the hot-air chamber surrounding the retort, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CUMMINGS CHERRY, SR. Vitnesses:

A. WALLACE, ALBERT H. ADAMS.

the perforated pipes I, in-. retorts, and the air-pipe U,

perforated plate 

